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But there is an idol in Thibet, which there is not
in China. It is a LIVING IDOL. He is called
the Grand Lama. There are Lamas in Tartary, but
the GRAND Lama is in Thibet. He is looked up to
as the greatest being in the world, by all the Lamas
in Tartary, and by all the people of the Buddhist
religion. There are more people,—­a
great many more,—­who honor him,
than who honor our GREAT GOD.

But this man leads a miserable life. When one
Lama dies, another is chosen;—­some little
baby,—­and he is placed in a very grand palace,
and worshipped as a god all his life long. I
have heard of one of these baby Lamas, who, when only
eighteen months old, sat up with great majesty on
his pile of cushions. When strangers entered,
he looked at them kindly, and when they made a speech
to him, he bowed his little head very graciously.
What a sad fate for this poor infant! To be set
up as a god, and taught to think himself a god—­while
all the time he is a helpless, foolish, sinful, dying
creature!

LASSA.

This is the chief city of Thibet. Here is the
palace of the Grand Lama. If is of enormous size.
What do you think of TEN THOUSAND rooms? Did you
ever hear of so large a house? Neither
did you ever hear of so high a house.
It is almost as high as the pinnacle of St. Paul’s
church. There are seven stories, and on the highest
story are the state apartments of the Grand Lama.
It is no matter to him how many flights of stairs there
may be to reach his rooms; for he is never allowed
to walk; but it is fatiguing for his worshippers to
ascend so high. I suppose the priests make their
Grand Lama live so high up, that he may be like our
God who dwells in the highest heavens. Who occupy
the ten thousand rooms of the palace? Chiefly
idols of gold and silver. The house outside is
richly adorned, and its roof glitters with gold.

There are many magnificent houses in Thibet, where
priests live. No one could live with them, who
could not bear a great noise: for three times
a day the priests meet to worship, and each time they
hollo with all their might, to do honor to Buddha.
The noise is stunning, but they do not think it loud
enough; so on feast days, they use copper instruments,
such as drums and trumpets, of the most enormous size,
and with them they send forth an overwhelming sound.

This unmeaning noise may well remind us of a sound—­louder
far—­that shall one day be heard; so loud
that all the world will hear it. It is
the sound of the LAST TRUMPET! It will wake the
dead. Stout hearts will quail; devils will tremble;
but all those who love the Lord, will rejoice and
say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for
Him, and He will save us.”—­(Is. xxv.
9.)

CEYLON.

This is one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Part of it indeed is flat—­that part near
Hindustan; but in the midst—­there are mountains;
and streams running down their sides, and swelling
into lovely rivers, winding along the fruitful valleys.
Such scenes might remind you of Switzerland, the most
beautiful country in Europe.